Improved trace-buckle



lUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

It. J. ALGEO,` OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

Speciiication forming part of Letters Patent No. 56.689, dated July 3l, 1866.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, R. J. ALGEo, of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo county, State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Trace-Buckles; and I- do hereby declare that the following' is a full, clear, and-exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the lart to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specication, in which- Figure 1 is an outside View of myimproved buckle attached to a trace. Fig. 2 is an edge View of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the same taken through the line m x, Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the same taken through the line y y, Fig. l.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

My invention has for its object to furnish a trace-buckle simple in construction, strong, and durable, in which the trace can be readily taken up or let out, which does not require the trace to be punched and thereby weakened, and which will adjust itself to a trace of any thickness; and it consists, first, in making the frame of the trace-buckle with slots or elongated holes in its sides; and second, in the haine-tug cap, in combination with the frame of the buckle, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

A is the hame-tug, through which passes the bolt or bur B, which connects the buckle to the hame-tug and which pivots the parts of the buckle together.

The frame O of the buckle is made in the form represented in the drawings, and is connected to the haine-tug A by the bolt or bar B, as before described. In the sides c and e2 of the frame C are formed slots or elongated holes, as shown in Fig. 2, through which the bolt B passes. This enables the buckle to adjust itself to tugs of Various thicknesses and to hold thin and thick traces with equal firm- DESS.

The haine-tug cap D is cast in the forni represented in the drawings, and it is pivoted to the bolt B by said bolt passing through its side flanges, as shown in Fig. 4. The rear end of the cap D does not quite come back to the rear end, c3, of the frame C, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and its front end projects a little beyond the front end, c4, of the frame C, as shown in Fig. 2.

The trace or tug E is inserted under the rear end, c3, of the frame @,passed over the cap D and under the forward end, c4, of the frame. The end is then carried forward and passed under the keeper F. By drawing upon the trace E the trace is drawn up against the rear end, c3, of the frame C and down upon the rear end of the cap D. This draws or tends to draw the frame C back. presses its forward end, c4, down, and raises the forward end of the cap D, clamping the said trace E iirmly between the cap D and the frame C of the buckle, and holding it securely in any position in which it may be placed, the slots in the sides c and c2 of the frame enabling the buckle to adjust itself to a trace of any thickness.

It should be observed that when the trace E is drawn upon the haine-tug A is forced up against the forward end of the cap D and assists in holding the trace E securely in place. It should also be observed that the parts of the buckle that come in contact with the trace E are smooth surfaces, thereby guarding against an undue wear upon the trace.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters PatentrIhe slotted sides ofthe frame G, in combina tion with the bolt B and tu gLcap D, constructed as described, and operating in the manner and for thepurpose specified.

R. J. ALGEO. 

